Home
Search History
Clear History
{{item.search_key}}
Hot Searches
Change
{{item.name}}
{{item.english_name}}
Subscribe eNews
Once A Week Once Every Two Weeks
{{sum}}
{{sum}}
Login

Please Login

Subscribe To Tags, See What You Want To See

Sign Up For Events, Expand your network

Unlock Private Messages, Participate In Interactions

 Register

Hi.{{userInfo.company_name_english||userInfo.truename_english}} Hi.{{userInfo.truename||userInfo.phone||userInfo.email}}

Applications

Röhm and partners establishes Europe-wide alliance for recycling PMMA

Novolex to acquire Pactiv Evergreen with US$6.7 billion

Covestro to invest pilot plant for chemically recycling of elastomers

Products

Dow enhances comfort experience in slabstock foam with cutting-edge polyether polyol

Clariant introduces new Plus series syngas catalysts to market

TMA AUTOMATION begins construction of office and production building in Poland

Activities

  • Round Table at Fakuma 2023: “Plastic – Recyclable Rather Than Problem Material!”

  • ArabPlast 2023 – The Success Journey Continues………..

  • GREAT NEWS! INAPA 2023 IS COMING BACK 24 - 26 May 2023 at JIExpo Jakarta, Indonesia

Pictorial

Industry Topic

ASEAN: The Next Manufacturing Hub

Innovative and Sustainable Packaging

Recycling and Circular Economy

CHINAPLAS

CHINAPLAS 2024 Focus

CHINAPLAS 2023 Focus

Exhibition Topic

Fakuma 2024 Highlights

CHINA FOCUS

K 2022 FOCUS

News Videos

strap belt winder | strap band winder | packing belt winder | packing band winder

Discover how Star Plastics processes recycled plastics

(Interview) CPCIF: How to achieve circular and economical

Conference Videos

【Mandarin session:Webinar playback】BASF:Tinuvin® NOR® 211 AR - High performing and value-in-use NOR® HALS® that can resist high levels of UV light, heat and acids

[Webinar playback] SABIC Webinar : Enabling a Circular Economy for Plastics Together

【Mandarin session:Webinar playback】The new generation application of Siriusvision inspection technology in the printing industry

Corporate/Product Videos

ENGEL adheres to the concept of circular economy, focuses on new plastics technology, and we are committed to provide our customers with suitable and high efficient injection molding solutions.

LSP -1600HDPE Three layer Solid Pipe Coextrusion Line

Zhuhai CPT Precision Mold Co.,LTD

Exhibition

Playback TECHHUB@CPRJ Live Streaming for CHINAPLAS

Events

Playback 5th Edition CHINAPLAS x CPRJ Plastics Recycling and Circular Economy Conference and Showcase

News
NEW
HOT
 Events
NEW
HOT
 Special
NEW
HOT
 Video
NEW
HOT
 Live
NEW
HOT
 eNews
NEW
HOT
 eBook
NEW
HOT
 Event Calendar
NEW
HOT
 Survey
NEW
HOT
 CHINA FOCUS
NEW
HOT

Home > News > Packaging

Bio-based teabags do not readily degrade in environment, study shows

Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2024-06-12 Editor ：RC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

A new study by University of Plymouth and University of Bath shows that some teabags manufactured using plastic alternatives do not degrade in soil and have the potential to harm terrestrial species.


Uni of Bath_teabag disposal_480.jpg


A new study shows that some bio-based teabags do not degrade in soil. (Source: University of Bath)

 

The research was conducted as part of BIO-PLASTIC-RISK, a project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council which is assessing how biodegradable packaging and products break down in the environment.

 

Research methodology

 

The researchers looked at commonly available teabags made with three different compositions of polylactic acid (PLA), which is derived from sources such as corn starch or sugar cane.

 

The study was designed to replicate the environmental conditions into which teabags might be discarded. The teabags were buried in soil for seven months and a range of analytical techniques were used to access whether, and to what extent, they had deteriorated.

 

The analytical techniques used include size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy, which help examine the visual and structural change of teabags.

 

Result

 

The results showed that teabags made solely from PLA remained completely intact. For the two types of teabags made from a combination of cellulose and PLA, they broke down into smaller pieces, losing between 60% and 80% of their overall mass and with the PLA component remaining.


Uni of Bath_teabag deterioration_480.jpg


Visual and structural change of tested teabags. (Source: Science Direct)

 

The study also examined the impacts of the discs cut from the teabags on a species of earthworm, Eisenia fetida, which has a critical role in soil nutrient turnover as it consumes organic matter.

 

Researchers found that being exposed to three different concentrations of teabag discs (equivalent to the mass of half, one and two teabags) resulted in up to 15% higher mortality, while some concentrations of PLA had a detrimental effect on earthworm reproduction.

 

Implications

 

Only one of the teabag sellers whose products were chosen for the study indicated on the packaging that the teabags were not home compostable. The study’s authors highlight the need for clear and accurate disposal guidance on product packaging.

 

“Current labels on packaging such as biodegradable or compostable can be misleading for the public. Therefore, it is imperative that scientists, policy makers and manufacturers work together so that the public has an easy access to information and learn how to dispose of those new types of plastic,” said Dr Fannie Burgevin from the University of Bath’s Department of Chemistry.


 Like 丨  {{details_info.likes_count}}
Bioplastic
Packaging
PLA
Tea
 KunRun Machinery(Shanghai) Co.,Ltd.      
 FCS-Group      
 HAITIAN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED      
 Rongsheng Petrochemical Co., Ltd.      

The content you're trying to view is for members only. If you are currently a member, Please login to access this content.   Login

Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2024-06-12 Editor ：RC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

A new study by University of Plymouth and University of Bath shows that some teabags manufactured using plastic alternatives do not degrade in soil and have the potential to harm terrestrial species.


Uni of Bath_teabag disposal_480.jpg


A new study shows that some bio-based teabags do not degrade in soil. (Source: University of Bath)

 

The research was conducted as part of BIO-PLASTIC-RISK, a project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council which is assessing how biodegradable packaging and products break down in the environment.

 

Research methodology

 

The researchers looked at commonly available teabags made with three different compositions of polylactic acid (PLA), which is derived from sources such as corn starch or sugar cane.

 

The study was designed to replicate the environmental conditions into which teabags might be discarded. The teabags were buried in soil for seven months and a range of analytical techniques were used to access whether, and to what extent, they had deteriorated.

 

The analytical techniques used include size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and scanning electron microscopy, which help examine the visual and structural change of teabags.

 

Result

 

The results showed that teabags made solely from PLA remained completely intact. For the two types of teabags made from a combination of cellulose and PLA, they broke down into smaller pieces, losing between 60% and 80% of their overall mass and with the PLA component remaining.


Uni of Bath_teabag deterioration_480.jpg


Visual and structural change of tested teabags. (Source: Science Direct)

 

The study also examined the impacts of the discs cut from the teabags on a species of earthworm, Eisenia fetida, which has a critical role in soil nutrient turnover as it consumes organic matter.

 

Researchers found that being exposed to three different concentrations of teabag discs (equivalent to the mass of half, one and two teabags) resulted in up to 15% higher mortality, while some concentrations of PLA had a detrimental effect on earthworm reproduction.

 

Implications

 

Only one of the teabag sellers whose products were chosen for the study indicated on the packaging that the teabags were not home compostable. The study’s authors highlight the need for clear and accurate disposal guidance on product packaging.

 

“Current labels on packaging such as biodegradable or compostable can be misleading for the public. Therefore, it is imperative that scientists, policy makers and manufacturers work together so that the public has an easy access to information and learn how to dispose of those new types of plastic,” said Dr Fannie Burgevin from the University of Bath’s Department of Chemistry.


全文内容需要订阅后才能阅读哦~
立即订阅
AdsaleCPRJ.com A1 420x90 EN AdsaleCPRJ.com A1 - EMP - EN

Leave Comment

Submit

All Comments

No Comment

{{VueShowUserOrCompany(itme.user)}}

{{ toolTimes(itme.updated_at,'s') }}

{{itme.body}}

Reply   
Submit
{{VueShowUserOrCompany(itmes.user)}} {{ toolTimes(itmes.updated_at,'s') }} Reply

{{itmes.body}}

Submit
波纹管成型机 FCS button ad EN Yizumi button ad EN

Recommended Articles

Packaging
Novolex to acquire Pactiv Evergreen with US$6.7 billion
 2024-12-19
Packaging
Viscofan develops sustainable multilayer sausage casing with bio-circular PA6 from Envalior
 2024-12-17
Packaging
BOTTLE4FLEX Project develops 100% recyclable skinpack packaging from rPET
 2024-12-03
  Rachel 管理员
Packaging
Starlinger acquires woven packaging division from W&H
 2024-11-29
Packaging
LG Chem and Reifenhäuser to bring MDO PE films to a broad market
 2024-11-29
Packaging
UNITED CAPS' KINDCAP wins gold prize at swop 2024
 2024-11-28
会通 PC横幅 五大电子书下载

You May Also Like

{{[item['category']['name'],item['category']['english_name']][lang]}}
{{VueShowUserOrCompany(item.author)}} {{VueShowDisplayName(item.author)}}
Sponsored
{{item.title}} {{item['summary']}}
{{itags.name}}
{{item.updated_at}}
 {{item.likes_count}}       {{item.comments_count}}
堃润 按钮广告EN Chongqing Polycomp International Corporation BERNEX
  • Must See
    • News
    Images
    Watch it
1
(INC-5 Direct) China at forefront of plastics treaty talks
2
(Interview) Generating US$26 million with 5 injection molding machines
3
End pollution: Plastic Europe urges INC-5 negotiators to include EPR
4
ELV recycling in China: Insights
5
Eastman Aventa materials rapidly biodegrade in seawater
1
Antioxidant DSTDP
1
Trip to South Korea: A visit to Hyundai Motorstudio Busan
2
(Interview) IPE: 5 steps to address plastic pollution
3
Trip to South Korea: Meeting an old friend and contributor
4
Trip to South Korea: INC-5 opens today
5
Trip to South Korea: Different practices, same goal
  • Hot Specials

You May Be Interested In

Change
  • People
  • Company
loading... No Content
{{[item.truename,item.truename_english][lang]}} {{[item.company_name,item.company_name_english][lang]}} {{[item.job_name,item.name_english][lang]}}
{{[item.company_name,item.company_name_english][lang]}} Company Name    {{[item.display_name,item.display_name_english][lang]}}  

Polyurethane Investment Medical Carbon neutral Reduce cost and increase efficiency CHINAPLAS Financial reports rPET INEOS Styrolution Evonik Borouge Polystyrene (PS) mono-material Sustainability Circular economy BASF SABIC Multi-component injection molding machine All-electric injection molding machine Thermoforming machine

Bio-based teabags do not readily degrade in environment, study shows

识别右侧二维码，进入阅读全文
下载
x 关闭
订阅
亲爱的用户，请填写一下信息
I have read and agree to the 《Terms of Use》 and 《Privacy Policy》
立即订阅
Top
Feedback
Chat
News
Market News
Applications
Products
Video
In Pictures
Specials
Activities
eBook
Front Line
Plastics Applications
Chemicals and Raw Material
Processing Technologies
Products
Injection
Extrusion
Auxiliary
Blow Molding
Mold
Hot Runner
Screw
Applications
Packaging
Automotive
Medical
Recycling
E&E
LED
Construction
Others
Events
Conference
Webinar
CHINAPLAS
CPS+ eMarketplace
Official Publications
CPS eNews
Media Kit
Social Media
Facebook
Youtube
Adsale Group ｜  About Us ｜  Terms of Use ｜  Privacy Policy ｜  Contact Us ｜  Media Kit ｜  Consent Letter for Processing Personal Data ｜